Garbage can lid clamp

ABSTRACT

A tension cord assembly for the purpose of securing a garbage can lid upon a garbage can so to prevent access of stray animals to the garbage within the can, the device comprising a length of nylon cord carrying a spring clamp at one end, the opposite end of the cord being connected through a swivel to one end of a steel coil spring, the opposite end of the coil spring being attached to a snaphook.

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ABSTRACT: A tension cord assembly for the purpose of securing a garbage can lid upon a garbage can so to prevent access of stray animals to the garbage within the can, the device comprising a length of nylon cord carr cl ying a spring [56] References cued amp at one end, the opposite end of the cord being con- UNITED STATES PATENTS nected through a swivel to one end of a steel coil spring, the

2/1896 Donnellan.................... naphook.

24/81 opposite end of the coil spring being attached to a s GARBAGE CAN LID CLAMP This invention relates generally to garbage cans in general. More specifically it relates to securement devices for garbage can lids.

It is generally well known to most homeowners that garbage cans containing refuse and garbage are subject to having stray animals lift the garbage can lid off therefrom so to gain access to the garbage, the animals often turning the can over and thus scattering the same about the premises.

In urban areas, such stray animals may comprise dogs and cats who are capable of lifting off the lid. In rural areas, such stray animals may comprise racoons as well as other animals .who in their search for food, make their nocturnal round of raiding garbage cans. This situation is, of course, objectionable in view that it promotes an increased infestation of rats or mice who live upon the strewn garbage.

This situation is further objectionable in view that it requires labor to clean up the mess and increases the danger to good health by access of flies to the garbage. This situation is accordingly in want of improvement.

Accordingly it is the principle object of the'present invention to provide a cord assembly for the purpose of firmly securing the garbage can lid upon the garbage can so to prevent easy removal of the lid by animals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cord assembly which comprises a unit having tensile elasticity so that the same may be fitted across the top of a garbage can lid, the opposite ends of the unit being removably secured to the handles on opposite sides of the can.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a cord assembly which includes a spring clamp hook atone end thereof and a snaphook at the other end thereof for securement to the garbage can handle.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a cord assembly which includes a portion thereof being made of nylon cord, and another portion thereof being comprised of a tension coil spring.

Yet a further object is to provide a cord assembly that may be pressed under the handle upon the garbage can lid, thus further securing the lid firmly upon the can.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a cord assembly which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects of the present invention will become evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the present invention, and

HO. 2 is a perspective view thereof shown mounted upon a garbage can.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral represents a garbage can lid clamp according to the present invention wherein there is an assembly 11 that is comprised of a length of nylon cord 12, a swivel 13, a tension coil spring 14, a snap clip and a snaphook 16.

The cord 12 is approximately one-fifth of an inch in diameter, the nylon cord being preferably about 14 inches in length. At one end of the cord, the terminal end thereof is folded over and secured by a metal clamp 17 so to form an eyelet to which there is secured a swivel 13.

Alternatively, the metal clamp 17 may be comprised of a tape, as preferred by a manufacturer. At its opposite end, the nylon cord 12 is likewise turned at its terminal end so to form an eye and secured by the metal clamps 17, the eye being secured to a second swivel 13.

One of the swivels 13 at the one end of the nylon cord is attached to the snap clip 15 and which can be easily and quickly attached or detached from a conventional handle 18 of a garbage can 19.

At its opposite end, the nylon cord attached to the other swivel 13 is attached to one end of the tension coil spring 14, the opposite end of the tension coil spring being attached to the snap hook l6 and which is likewise readily attachable or detachable to a handle 18 of the garbage can 19.

The tension coil spring is preferably of approximately threetenths of a diameter and is approximately 3 4/5 inches in length.

It will now be readily apparent that the cord assembly 10 is now approximately 26 inches in overall length and which is a dimension that is adaptable to be fitted to a conventional sized garbage can of the type that are made of metal and galvanized, such garbage cans being usually of 20 gallon or 30' gallon capacity.

In operative use, when it is desired to secure the lid 20 upon the garbage can 19, the cord assembly 10 is inserted under the garbage can lid handle 21, one end of the assembly 10 being snap clipped to one of the handles 18, while the other end of the assembly 10 is snap hooked to the opposite garbage can handle 18, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing.

Inthis position, rodents and other animals do not have access to the garbage, in view that the lid can not be lifted off.

However, when a person desires to remove the lid, he needs only to unsnap the hook or spring clamp so as to gain access to the interior. Alternately, sufficient tension in the assembly will permit a person to gently raise the lid a small distance so that he may insert a small object of refuse into the garbage can, without thus removing the assembly from the garbage can.

Thus there has been provided a garbage can lid clamp which will promote cleanliness on a premises by preventing garbage being strewn about by wild animals, and which accordingly will promote a fight against rats, mice and flies.

What I new claim is:

1. In a garbage can lid clamp, the combination of an assembly, said assembly comprising a longitudinally stretchable unit having self-contained means at its opposite ends for being removably attached to the handle and diametrically opposite sides of a garbage can, and an intermediate portion of said unit being fitted over a garbage can lid and preventing the same from being lifted off by stray animals and the like, said unit comprising for a major portion thereof a length of nylon cord, each end of said nylon cord being looped back and secured in a metal clamp so to form an eye at each said end thereof, each eye of said nylon cord being secured to one of a pair of swivels, a snap clip being secured to one of said swivels, the other of said swivels being secured to one end of a tension coil spring, the opposite end of said tension coil spring being secured to a snaphook, said snap clip and said snaphook comprising said means for securement to said garbage can handle. 

1. In a garbage can lid clamp, the combination of an assembly, said assembly comprising a longitudinally stretchable unit having self-contained means at its opposite ends for being removably attached to the handle and diametrically opposite sides of a garbage can, and an intermediate portion of said unit being fitted over a garbage can lid and preventing the same from being lifted off by stray animals and the like, said unit comprising for a major portion thereof a length of nylon cord, each end of said nylon cord being looped back and secured in a metal clamp so to form an eye at each said end thereof, each eye of said nylon cord being secured to one of a pair of swivels, a snap clip being secured to one of said swivels, the other of said swivels being secured to one end of a tension coil spring, the opposite end of said tension coil spring being secured to a snaphook, said snap clip and said snaphook comprising said means for securement to said garbage can handle. 